Boston police are investigating possible hate crimes after a gay couple was attacked while walking through the city’s Matapan district on September 13, with one man suffering head injuries.
Police reports said the couple headed to a convenience store on River Street just before 8pm, and a group of men began to throw anti-gay comments at them.
One of the men stood up to the group, causing a “verbal conflict” that escalated into a physical attack on the couple. boston.com.
The group is split to attack both men, with at least two attackers waving objects whilst screaming homophobic slurping. According to his partner, one of the victims was hit in the head with a baseball bat during the brawl.
The corresponding officer found one victim lying in the parking lot of a senior residence nearby and was bleeding from the back of his head. Police said he was treated on site before being transported to Beth Israel Deacones Medical Center for further care.
Police did not disclose the names of either victim.
A Boston Police spokesperson said an investigation was ongoing. The incident is treated as a possible hate crime and has been notified to the Civil Rights Unit of the department.
Two weeks after the attack, the injured man’s condition remains unknown, and police have not announced any suspects or arrests, according to a Boston ABC affiliate. WCVB.
The neighbor said CBS News They became anxious about the group of men gathered in the neighborhood.
“It’s not safe,” said resident Joanne Harrington, who avoids walking around the neighborhood at night. “I’m not a hanging out kids. These are adults. I don’t like driving either. [through the area].
A city spokesman condemned the attack in a statement to Boston Fox affiliates wfxt.
“Hate is never tolerated in Boston,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are sent to two victims and we ask anyone with information to contact Boston Police. The BPD Civil Rights Department is investigating the case in depth.”
Anyone with information will be asked to call the Boston Police Department at 617-343-4633.
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Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
